An old dog needs dog food that is tailored to its age because the aging process causes some physical changes: the metabolism changes, and some organs no longer function as well as in younger healthy dogs. In addition, older dogs are more likely to experience illnesses that require a certain “diet.” The right dog food and the right amount keep your dog fit longer, avoid overweight and malnutrition. Find out here what to consider when feeding old, healthy dogs.
WHAT DOES “OLD” MEAN HERE?
When a dog is considered “old” depends, among other things, on the breed. A general classification is not possible. Basically, small dog breeds usually reach a higher age than large dog breeds. Small dogs are considered old from around the age of ten, while larger breeds are considered to be old when they are around seven years old. Therefore, it is advisable to change the dog’s diet at the latest when the first signs of age appear – for example, in otherwise healthy dogs, an increased need for rest and sleep, declining performance, or weight gain.
Like older people, older dogs also lose muscle mass, while fat mass increases simultaneously. In addition, old dogs move less. As a result, an old dog has a lower energy requirement than a younger adult dog. If the dog’s diet is not adjusted accordingly, there is a risk that the dog will develop overweight. You should definitely avoid this with your older dog, as excessive weight puts additional stress on the joints and heart, among other things. At the same time, the dog must not receive too little energy, because too little weight particularly weakens old dogs.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS ARE RARE
In contrast to older people, an old dog rarely has a vitamin deficiency, especially when given commercial dog food. This is usually tailored in its composition to the needs of the dog. Additional vitamin supplements are therefore usually not necessary for healthy older dogs. On the other hand, homemade dog food runs the risk of not having enough energy or nutrients. If you prepare the food for your four-legged friend yourself, you should therefore make sure that it contains enough high-quality sources of energy and nutrients.
Since an old dog needs less energy but roughly the same amount of nutrients as a younger adult dog, feeds with lower energy and high nutrient content are particularly recommended. Dog food for old dogs should not contain too much fat to prevent obesity.
ALSO IMPORTANT FOR OLD DOGS: SUFFICIENT WATER
If old dogs don’t drink enough, they’ll develop signs of dehydration more quickly than younger animals. This is mainly due to the fact that an old dog often has to take medication that also flushes out water (so-called diuretics). Also, chronic kidney disease, which also impacts the water balance, is more common in older dogs. Therefore, make sure that your four-legged friend can drink fresh water at all times and check how much he drinks throughout the day.
Older dogs are more likely to have digestive problems than younger adult dogs, such as constipation. Here, too, it is important to drink enough. In addition, your four-legged friend needs enough fiber for a regular digestion, for example, from vegetables or grains.
The right dog nutrition promotes the quality of life of old dogs and keeps them healthy. Even an old dog that has already developed age-related illnesses can benefit from optimal dog nutrition: the adapted dog food, which optimally supplies the four-legged friend with all the important nutrients and sufficient energy, makes them more resilient. Especially with old dogs, dog food is also part of dental care: Solid food ensures that tartar cannot accumulate on the teeth so quickly – so that your dog can still eat his dog food with pleasure even in old age.